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'We Haven’t Done Anything Yet' Says Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle

Originally posted on Sportscasting | By Anthony Cardenas | Last updated May 12, 2025 9:42 AM ET

The Indiana Pacers have taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers after a dominant Game 4 victory. But following the game, their head coach cautioned about the team getting too far ahead of themselves.

Pacers Not Getting Ahead Of Themselves With 3-1 Series Lead

The Pacers entered their second round series against the Cavaliers as heavy underdogs. Cleveland was the top team in the Eastern Conference throughout the entirety of the regular season, and swept their way past the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. But Indiana was able to set the tone in the second round by stealing the first two games on the road, before the Cavs were able to show life by winning big in Game 3.

“We haven’t done anything yet.”

Rick Carlisle says the Pacers “have everything to prove” despite blowing out the Cavs in Game 4 pic.twitter.com/6pb4R2uGqv

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 12, 2025

Game 4 ended with a 20-point margin in favor of the Pacers, but the game was an embarrassment for Cleveland. They trailed by a score of 80-39 at halftime, and only closed the deficit late during garbage time. Indiana is now up 3-1 in the series, a lead that only 13 teams in NBA history have given up.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is keeping his focus on the task at hand. During his post game press conference, Carlisle was quoted saying “We haven’t done anything yet,” and says that his team still has plenty to prove:

“We’re a pretty significant underdog in every game that we’ve played in this series…we know people don’t believe in us…we gotta stay in the present moment as much as we can.”

The odds are in their favor. Since 2016, only two 3–1 deficits have been overcome in the NBA Playoffs, both of which were achieved by the Denver Nuggets in 2020.

The sportsbooks agree. Despite the Cavaliers being favored by 6.5 points in Game 5, it is the Pacers who are the favorites to win the series overall, currently listed at -325.

This article first appeared on Sportscasting and was syndicated with permission.

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